A TEENAGER has gone on trial for allegedly plotting to carry out bombings at key establishments in Bahrain.
The 19-year-old Bahraini, who works for a pilgrimage operator, has been accused of receiving militia training in Iraq in camps belonging to militia groups.
He is also accused of joining a terrorist cell and plotting to attack key establishments and was arrested on the King Fahad Causeway on June 18.
He appeared at the High Criminal Court for the first time yesterday where he denied the charges.
Another man, a 21-year-old Bahraini believed to be at large in Iraq, is said to have recruited him into the terrorist group and is standing trial in absentia for establishing a terrorist cell.
In his statement to the Public Prosecution, the teenager said that he knew the fugitive from school and he was recruited to the cell after they met during a religious pilgrimage in Iraq.
“I met him during a pilgrimage in Iraq in 2018 and he told me about the group and that he was wanted by the police in Bahrain,” he said during questioning.
“At first I refused to join the group because I was scared, but in April this year I went back to Iraq and joined him.
“He took me in a pick-up truck, along with Iraqi military officials, to a militia camp.
“I do not know where the camp is because they covered my eyes, but I did notice the flag of the Popular Mobilisation Forces.”
He confessed that while at the militia camp he received training in weapons and explosives.
“I received weapons and explosives training, including AK-47 assault rifles and high-grade explosives,” he said in his statement.
“Officials wearing military clothes also informed me that I have to be fully confident when using the weapons.”
A police captain, who was investigating the fugitive and later the defendant, said plans were in place for the cell to target key establishments in Bahrain.
“The defendant was arrested for being part of a terrorist cell and for receiving militia training in Iraq,” he said in his statement to prosecutors.
“The 19-year-old travelled to Iraq in April this year with the help of his co-defendant who recruited him to the illicit group.
“He was taught by his Iraqi counterparts how to choose key places in Bahrain to plant bombs to cause havoc in the country.
“However, he was arrested before he could carry out any bombings of the targets.
The hearing has been adjourned until September 15 for review.
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